Course overview
Become a qualified physiotherapist who can provide hands-on treatment and create exercise and health management strategies.
In this course, you’ll learn how to prevent, treat and manage physical injuries and assist people of all ages with musculo-skeletal and/or chronic health conditions.
You’ll graduate with an integrated honours-level qualification, ready to embark on a career as a physiotherapist or continue your studies as a researcher in a field of physiotherapy.
Career outcomes
Careers
- Physiotherapist
- Physiotherapy researcher
Industries
- Hospitals and healthcare
- Community practice
- Education
- Government
- Aged care
- Rehabilitation
- Sport and recreation
- Research
Professional accreditation and recognition
This course is accredited by the Australian Physiotherapy Council. Graduates can apply for professional registration with the Physiotherapy Board of Australia.
Why study at Curtin?
Professional recognition
This course is accredited by the Australian Physiotherapy Council. Graduates can apply for professional registration with the Physiotherapy Board of Australia.
Work experience
You'll have access to specialised anatomy facilities and physical health laboratories to develop your practical skills, and complete 1,100 hours of supervised placements in healthcare settings.
Get the Curtin edge
In the second half of your course, you’ll join a peer research group working on a small research study.
Hear from our students
"The Physiotherapy staff are so passionate about teaching, which makes learning more enjoyable and motivates me to study. And the small class sizes allow everyone to get to know each other and spend one-on-one time with the tutor."
Georgina Versteeg
Bachelor of Science (Physiotherapy) (Honours)
Your student experience
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Find your entry pathway to Curtin
You may be finishing high school, coming from TAFE, or just thinking of a career change; but whatever your background, there’s an entry pathway to Curtin for you.
Course structure
What you’ll learn
Your first year is interprofessional, gaining the skills to work as part of a healthcare team, while learning about the physical, structural and physiological aspects of human form and movement.
You’ll then study musculoskeletal, cardiopulmonary, cardiorespiratory and neurological sciences; and gerontology, paediatrics, gender health issues and pain management.
Throughout the course, you’ll learn how to select the best treatment option by analysing the research evidence and the individual’s perspective and health environment.
You’ll become proficient in treating acute and chronic conditions and disabilities, providing hands-on treatment, prescriptive exercise and lifestyle advice.
The development of essential ‘soft’ skills is also a part of your learning. These include empathic listening to help accurately diagnose an issue, problem-solving to address clinical obstacles, and reflective practice to critically analyse evidence and monitor the effectiveness of your management strategies.
In your third and fourth years, you’ll become part of a peer research group that will work to complete (and potentially publish) a small research study under staff supervision.
Practical experience
You’ll develop your practical skills in laboratory classes and complete 1,100 hours in supervised placements in hospitals and community settings, including in rural and remote locations.
This can be a physically and mentally challenging course. Please familiarise yourself with the inherent requirements before applying.
Detailed course structure and unit information
For detailed information and course structure, visit our Handbook.
Entry requirements
To study this course, you must meet the entry criteria:
- course ATAR, or equivalent, demonstrated via an accepted entry pathway
- any course-specific requirements
- English language requirement.
Minimum ATAR entry required
This course requires you to achieve a minimum ATAR/selection rank to be considered for entry, but does not guarantee selection.
Entry pathways
There are different ways to meet our academic entry requirements. Choose the option that best suits the highest level of education that you’ve achieved.
Curious how students entered this course? See the entry pathways other students have taken.
Course-specific requirements
You’ll also need to meet any specific requirements to be eligible to apply for this course.
Study credit and support
You may be able to receive study credit or support based on your previous experience or personal circumstances.
Get credit towards your degree
You may be able to receive credit for recognised learning (CRL) from past study or professional experience, which could reduce the time it takes to finish your course.
Find specific details about CRL for this course on the Handbook.
Special consideration
If your studies were affected by circumstances beyond your control, you may be eligible for special consideration when applying to Curtin. This process is available to new applicants only and allows your application to be assessed in light of those circumstances.
Additional information
Notes about this course
Make sure you check the course notes for any other important information.
Fees
2025 Domestic indicative fees
2026 Domestic indicative fees
*The indicative first-year fee is based on a standard full-time study load of 200 credit points.
This fee is a guide only. Your total fee may vary depending on the units you choose, your study load or if your course includes additional requirements. For more information on fees, see other fees and charges.
Scholarships
Get the support you need to succeed with our diverse range of scholarships. Whether it’s financial support, assistance with relocation, or recognition for your academic achievements, we have scholarships tailored to your unique needs.
Curtin Excellence Scholarship
The Excellence scholarship offers support ranging from $5,000 to $15,000 in value to current high school leavers who receive an ATAR of 96 and above.
How to apply
Follow these steps to make sure you’re eligible, prepared and ready to apply for your course.
Check entry requirements
Entry requirements differ by course and your previous work and study experience.
Prepare your documents
The documents you need may vary depending on your course and application pathway.
Check application deadlines
Deadlines vary by course and whether you’re applying as a domestic or international student.
Choose your application pathway
I’m in year 12 or applying for Medicine
If you’re in year 12 or recently finished high school, you’ll need to apply through TISC.
You’ll apply through TISC no matter what you studied in high school, whether that was:
- ATAR
- General subjects
- Certificate IV
- or completing UniReady in Schools program.
TISC has different application dates to Curtin. Visit the TISC website for all important dates, including application deadlines.
I have finished high school
If you’re not a current year 12 student or recent graduate, you’re considered a non school leaver and you’ll apply directly to Curtin.
The only exception is Medicine, which must be applied for through TISC.
You’ll apply directly to Curtin if you are:
- a high school graduate who finished school last year or earlier
- transferring from another university
- returning to study or using your professional experience to qualify
- progressing from a VET or TAFE qualification or bridging program
- a current Curtin student changing courses or campuses.
Application deadlines can vary by course. Make sure to check application deadlines before you apply.
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